Favorite Jazz releases of 2013

These are my favorite jazz releases of 2013. I hesitate to call this a Best Of list, as one can’t possibly claim to have heard all of the jazz releases in this age of independently produced recordings. While several of these picks are from established jazz masters (Wayne Shorter, Gary Burton, Chick Corea), there are others that rarely get the press or recognition they deserve (Earl MacDonald, Russ Kaplan). I urge you to seek out some of these lesser known artists and support their efforts.

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Wayne Shorter – Without a Net; Shorter’s great quartet redefines free jazz. Great empathy between these long time collaborators is apparent throughout.

Chick Corea – The Vigil; Chick reaches back to the fusion sounds of the electric Return to Forever days, with new compositions and young virtuoso musicians.

Dave Douglas – Time Travel; Douglas pushes this fine quintet of new and established jazz cats to new heights of creativity and freedom.